amy78735

Hi there,
We (family of 4- kids are 12 and 15) will be driving from DC to Cape Cod. However, we have one night in between to stop. Mystic Ct has been recommended several times. Looking at Google Maps, I show 3 routes. We would like the least stressful and least congested way to get to Mystic from DC. We live in Tx so the roads are not familiar and would like to hear from people who know that area/route.

Thank you for your thoughts!

Dukey1

IMO a LOT is going to depend on the time of day you travel as well as the day of the week.

"Least stressful" is not to drive at all but which "three routes" are you talking about? How can we know unless you tell us this?

I am assuming one of those routes is I-95 so what are the others?

amy78735

My apologies--there are 2 routes given. 1-95 all the way and also up through Pa (York, Hershey) on I-83, I-78 picking up 95 in what I think is NY and then 95 from there. This would be on a Thursday in mid-June.

Dukey1

Thanks.

You say you are starting out in Washington. Are you starting out IN the District or one of the suburbs?

Both the shortest time and shortest distance are going to involve driving up I-95 which will include using the NJ Turnpike, and usually crossing the George Washington Bridge from New Jersey into New York and going through the city (on expressways).

This means traffic and there are various alternatives for getting around/through New York City, too.

The I-83 route might be more pleasant even of it is a longer one and a lot of people swear by it.

Have you also looked at the route(s) suggested by mapquest.com? If not I would do that.

emalloy

When we do that trip, we usually take 95 to the New Jersey Tpk to the Garden State Pkwy, to 287 (I think garden state pkwy ends there) across the Tappan Zee Bridge to rt 15 (the Merrit Pkwy -cars only)to exit 54 which connects to I-95 near Milford, CT.

It is a little longer but avoids the GWBridge which has always been awful traffic wise, but you can cross to the Merrit via the Hutchinson River Pky if 95 is backed up.

Generally how bad it is depends on time of day and there will likely be some time along the route that you can't miss rush hour unless you leave DC at 11pm.

There are tolls along some of these roads and on line you can get a transponder from NY, NJ, MA or even some of the midwest states then you will cut time and aggravation at the toll areas. Otherwise you need to watch which line you get in to be sure you have one that takes money and doesn't do exact change only.

Fra_Diavolo

I have driven the NY/DC route many times and always stick to the I-95, Jersey Turnpike route, and over the GW. There are always delays and many trucks (though some stretches of the NJT feature car only lanes). An EZ Pass will speed you through the toll plazas.

I would think the best time you could make would be 6 1/2 hours to Mystic, but it will probably take longer. My suggestion would be to start early and try to make Mystic by mid-afternoon.

If you're just looking for a stop, there are a number of hotels at exit 90. This area is near the aquarium and "Olde Mystic Village" -- do not be fooled,, it's just a shopping center.

To get to Mystic proper, follow Rt 27 a mile or two. You will pass by Mystic Seaport, a recreated 19th century seaport with an outstanding collection of watercraft, including the last of the wooden whale ships, the Charles Morgan. https://www.mysticseaport.org

The town of Mystic is quaint and full of art galleries and shops. Here you'l find more interesting restaurants and hotels, and have a place to stroll after dinner. If you like fried seafood you might stop at The Seaview, http://www.seaviewsnackbar.com on 27 on the way in, or the Sea Swirl http://seaswirlofmystic.com on the other side of town. Neither is at all fancy, but they are good of their kind.

amy78735

Thank you all so much for your help. To answer the question, we are actually staying in Camp Springs, Md and so we will be driving to Mystic from there.
I appreciate the responses and we will look at all options.

tomfuller

I visited Mystic many years ago so I didn't go back. About 10 days ago DW and I visited the submarine museum in Groton CT.
I enjoyed the self guided tour through the Nautilus.
I had forgotten that Eisenhower was President when it broke through the ice at the north pole.
I took the route through Danbury CT on I-84 all the way to Scranton where I hit I-81.
I went across the northern tier of PA on US 6 to get to my 50th HS reunion in Wellsboro

emalloy

If you have an iPad, iPhone, tablet etc., download the free WAZE app. It will tell you where there are problems on the route you choose and will give you alternates around them.

Macross

We took Amtrak and rented a car for a sub reunion in Groton. It was so much easier. We like Mystic. Your kids might enjoy the train.

Ackislander

I drive this route all the time, roughly once a month,

How difficult it might be depends on the day of the week and the time of day. Fridays and Sundays are bad in the summer because of beach and mountain traffic.

The vast majority of the time, I take the NJTP from the Delaware Memorial Bridge to its junction with the GSP at Woodbridge. I go north from there on the GSP to 287 and cross the Tappan Zee Bridge. I stop for gas at the last rest area on the GSP because it is significantly cheaper than for the rest of your trip.

If you can cross the bridge by 3 PM, you will be happier. For your destination, I would get back onto I-95 where 287 ends and just expect a certain number of delays, often between Exits 40-46. 1010AM ("traffic on the ones") is useful near NYC. Once you pass New Haven, life gets better. The route is pretty, and there are interesting towns for breaks and/or lunch. Essex and Old Lyme are standouts.

When you exit I-95 for Mystic, there are two excellent clam shacks on your right between the interchange and Mystic Seaport. Both feature Connecticut chowder: no milk, no tomato. I would stop even if I weren't hungry. Noank, a short, pretty drive from Mystic, is famous for clams. Next day, when you are ready to drive on to the Cape, take the local road to Stonington for a quick drive through. It is very salty and exudes charm. Then you can go back to I-95 and continue east.